Make a List: Books that have changed my life

As an author, I have a strong belief in the written word. The collection of sounds put together in a unique sequence, creating words, sentences and paragraphs into ideas, has an enormous power for me.

I have been an avid reader from the age of 8. I remember that my neighbor friend and I used to ride our bicycles to the library for more than 45 minutes and could only borrow 3 books for 3 weeks. Reading was my sanctuary. School was tough for me, home was not an easy place and reading allowed me to visit new worlds in my own imagination and immerse myself in them.

I have always found it fascinating that a combination of words could trigger such emotions in people. Sometimes, when I read something that was really scary, I had to remind myself that it was just a story and that if I took the same words and put them in a different combination, their meaning would change completely.

Kind words are keys to open the gates of the heart
– Ronit Baras

Books were my best friends for many years. As a teenager, I spent about 2-3 hours every day reading. When I read a book late at night, the only thought that encouraged me to let go of the book and go to sleep was “leave something for tomorrow”. Our high school librarian would wait for me every day with a pack of books and say, “Ronit, I think you’ll like these”. Books inspired me to be better, stronger and smarter and to keep moving forward.

I think the understanding in the early years of my life of the power of words has made me the author I am today. When I write, I search for the combination of words that would trigger certain thoughts and feelings. My ultimate goal is to write something that will open the gates of the heart and allow people to find love, connection and happiness.

A book is the only place in which you can examine a fragile thought without breaking it, or explore an explosive idea without fear it will go off in your face. It is one of the few havens remaining where a man’s mind can get both provocation and privacy
– Edward P. Morgan

When I was 16, I came up with the idea that some books altered the course of my life. I used to go to the library and pick books off the shelves without any reason. It was not the cover page, it was not the place on the shelf and it was not the writing on the back that made me choose them. I always thought that the books called me to pick them up. These were always the books that left the biggest impression on me and made me change things in my life for the better.

The changes were more profound when I started reading non-fiction books. During my Special Education studies, I had a huge interest in the way the brain works. On top of my overloaded timetable and the many books I already had to read, I would go to the library and take books about the way we think. I had a feeling that I needed to know all those things. Back then, I still did not know why. Later on, I discovered that all this extra reading helped me learn a lot about myself and the way I operated. It contributed a lot to my studies, to the way I connected with people and, later on, to my success.

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others. for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness. And for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone
– Audrey Hepburn

Many people learn a lot from reading. While in the past, most of the written information was in books and magazines, we are exposed to so many more written words today that we no longer need to buy books or go to the library to get information. The problem is no longer to find words of wisdom but to do something useful with them afterwards.

However many holy words you read, however many you speak, what good will they do you if you do not act on upon them?
– Buddha

Have you ever read something so good you were convinced that you would make huge changes in your life and later discovered your enthusiasm has faded away?

Well, most people are the same – they read something, feel very motivated to change their life, but their subconscious returns them straight into their “reality” of doing the same old things over and over again.

I discovered this when I was 16. After reading many books, the messages would mix and it was very hard for me to keep track of what I was reading, what I had learned and what I wanted to change after reading them. So I came up with a solution. I started to record the books.

Action speaks louder than words but not nearly as often
– Mark Twain

You are probably asking yourself, “Come on, Ronit, when I read a book for enjoyment, you don’t expect me to summarize it, do you?”

Well, no, I don’t!

The books are as good as the messages you get from them. I tell my clients that all they need to do is to 1 to 3 messages from every reading and they will be in a good place if they implement them and move forward.

At the age of 16, I started to make a list of books that made an impact on my life and the messages I got from them. Now, as a motivational speaker, I still refer to those books and remember the impact they had on me.

How to make your inspiring book list

Think of books you have read over your life. Those who had an impact on you will be easily remembered

Write down the name of the book and the author if you ever want to find the book again

Write down the main messages in the book

Write down how reading the book has changed your life

Words mean more than what is set down on paper. It takes the human voice to infuse them with deeper meaning
– Maya Angelou

As an educator and life coach, many books in my field have made a huge change in my life. For example:

I must have read over 10,000 books in my life and my goal is to take at least one thing from each reading book. Although I do not add them all to my list, I do ask myself at the end of every reading, “What have I learned from reading this book?”

If you do not have such a list, start it today!

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them
– John F. Kennedy

Of course, the best things we can do with every message that we appreciate and are happy to learn, is to find ways to live by it and to share it with others.